Falefa

Falefa is one of the oldest and largest villages in Samoa,[5] with its traditional borders stretching from Uafato to the East, Saoluafata to the west and Lotofaga on its southern border. Oral tradition and archaeological evidence from the nearby Sasoa'a Lapita discovery site in the Falefa valley place the date of settlement in the area to as far back as between 300B.C - 200 A.D.[6]

According to oral tradition, Falefa was founded by the two sons of Tui Atua Mua’iteleloa and Leateafaiga (daughter of Lufasiaitu of Uafato, Fagaloa) - Moe'ono Faleologa & his younger brother Leutele Leutogitui. Since then, Falefa has been headed by the descendants of these two brothers who hold the respective Moe'ono (tulafale-alii or 'matua') and Leutele (alii) titles.[7] Leaving their birthplace at Fagaloa, they established their first settlement at the top of mountains overlooking Fagaloa Bay and the Falefa valley, called Manuao. It was from this vantage point atop Manuao that a Falefa war party descended in a surprise attack on the Tongan forces anchored at Fagaloa Bay, foiling Leifi and Tautolo's plot to have Queen Salamasina taken back to her kin in Tonga.[6] The settlement was later moved down to the coast to its present site at the northern edge of the Falefa valley.

The size of Falefa was such that a centralised location was needed to centralize governance and so Moe'ono and Leutele created 'O le Faleupolu o Sagapolu' - the administrative centre from which their successors continue to govern Falefa down to the present day. Other sub-villages followed; Saleapaga followed by Sagogu and Gagaeimalae. Moe'ono and Leutele bestowed titles on prominent houses and established 'vassal' houses to serve Moe'ono and Leutele to assist with the administration of the growing district.

The brothers and their respective heirs traveled extensively throughout their dominion - from Lemafatele (known as Le Mafa Pass today) to Sasoa'a (where Lapita pottery remains have been found),[6] to Fagaloa and the mountains overlooking the valley below where the village of Falefa stands today.

In later times, portions of Falefa's lands were gifted by subsequent rulers to form the settlements of Lufilufi, Lalomauga, Falevao as well as the villages of Sauano and Saletele in the Fagaloa Bay. Tui Atua Leutele-le'i'ite also gifted land to his nephew Puga (or Puna) to form the village of Faleapuna. Puna subsequently became a leading orator in the Atua district under the new title of Molio'o, until it became part of the Vaa-o-Fonoti district.[8] These villages are historically tied to Falefa through their founding and through centuries of intricate political manouvering.[9]

One of the early kings of Samoa was Faumuina, a direct descendant of Queen Salamasina's daughter, Fofoaivaoese. He had three children, two sons and one daughter. The sons were named Fonoti and Vaafusuaga and the daughter was named Samalaulu. They are commonly known in the traditions of Samoa as “The Three of Faumuina.” Each child was by a different mother so that after the death of their father they individually contended for the Kingship.[10]

Having waged war successfully for the crown against his kin, Fonoti was proclaimed King in c.1640.[6] He conferred many honours upon those chiefs and Districts that had fought for him and such honours and privileges are remembered and passed down by Samoa's Tulafale (Orator chiefs) in customary salutations down to the present day.[10]

For contending with the Manono, Sapapali'i and Saleaaumua naval forces and securing his victory at sea, the leaders of Faleapuna and Fagaloa were granted a district of their own called Vaa-o-Fonoti (literally, Fonoti's canoe). For leading Fonoti's land forces and securing victory on land, Falefa was designated the salutation of Aai o Fonoti or Aai o le Tupu (the village of Fonoti or village of the King).[10] Falefa continued as the administrative centre of Fonoti, Muagututi'a and Tupua's respective malo until the time of Fonoti's grandson, King Afoa (later Afoafouvale), who chose to rule from Lufilufi, the centre of Ātua.[3]

These honors are reflected to this day in the Fa'alupega o Samoa (customary honorific salutations of Samoa) of the respective villages and in those of Falefa.

The convocation of a special meeting of the village fono is decided by 'Iuli or Moe'ono.[5] The scale of the meeting varies depending on the situation. The most common meetings comprise only the four sub-villages of Falefa: Sagapolu, Saleapaga, Gaga’emalae and Sanonu. The range of participants define the three types of meetings. In this context, the word fale means sub-village. A fono falefa is then a fono in which only the matai from the four sub-villages of Falefa participate.[7] A fono falelima is a fono with the four sub-villages of Falefa and the village of Falevao. A fono falefitu involves all the villages that are part of Falefa's traditional domain, which includes the four sub-villages of Falefa, Falevao and the two villages of Sauano and Saletele in the Fagaloa Bay.[5]

The late Moe'ono Alai'asā Kolio OBE (Moe'ono from 1957-1987), one of the signatories of the Constitution, pictured here with his wife, Aniva Atoafuaiupolu -Auva'a of Tanugamanono & Ti'avea

Upon the death of a Moe'ono or Leutele, the district goes into an extended period of mourning and kicks off the procession of cultural protocol which follows. Leutele, Iuli and Lealaisalanoa's funeral rites will commence with the Lagi (sacred offering of rare fine mats and offerings) which is received by the Moe'ono. The funeral rites of a Moe'ono however, do not customarily include a Lagi as these offerings given during a Moe'ono's funeral rites remain with Moe'ono's family. This custom has since changed since the time of Moe'ono Kolio whose funeral rites included a Lagi.

During this sede vacante period, the administration of Falefa is then passed to 'Iuli, Lealaisalanoa, Alai'asā and Falefa's other matai (chiefs of each family) until a Moe'ono or Leutele is appointed.

At the appointed time when an heir has been chosen, the proceedings of the saofa'i (bestowment ceremony) stipulate that only the two bearers of the titles of the two brothers - Moe'ono and Leutele - are part of this sacred ritual. Only once it has been completed with the completion of the 'ava ceremony and the title bestowed will 'Iuli lead the rest of the village chiefs in to the residence to join them ('usu le nuu'). The ceremony is guarded by Tupua ma le Aumaga (the name for Falefa's untitled men's guild).

The last holder of the Leutele title was Leutele Tapusatele Keli Tuatagaloa until his passing in 2012. The late Moe'ono Leateafaiga Atoafuaiupolu Penitito Alaiasa is the most recent holder of the Moe'ono title, which he held until his passing in 2018. The two titles have enjoyed a long tradition of only ever having a single holder of the respective titles at any given time, save for a brief period when there were multiple Leutele title holders.

As of 2018, both titles remain vacant pending appointment of the new holders by the respective heirs.

The Tui Tonga (ruler of Tonga) had two sons. The elder was named Tuitonga after his father, the younger, Lautivunia. Lautivunia had an affair with his brother's wife. When the affair became known, the older brother was very angry.

As is the custom, the younger brother made a peace offering of cooked food wrapped in tolo (ordinary sugar cane) and fiso (wild sugar cane) leaves. These leaves underlined the message, ‘Please forgive me, for we are brothers.’

The late Leutele Tapusatele Keli Tuatagaloa, ranking alii of Falefa. (1940-2012).

But Tuitoga was not placated and Lautivunia made another peace offering, which included the flesh of ordinary bananas and of the lei (wild banana). The two varieties of banana underlined the message, ‘We are flesh and blood – surely you can find it in your heart to forgive me?’ Tuitoga was still not placated. So Lautivunia decided that if his brother would not accept his food offerings he would offer his life. He dug a hole where his catamaran was housed, fixed spears with points upward at the bottom of the hole, and threw himself on the spears. The force of his action caused the surrounding earth and sand to cave in and cover him.

When Lautivunia's disappearance was noticed, his father and brother sent out search parties to look for him. One party reached Falefa, Samoa. Tui Atua Leutele said, ‘You need not have come so far. Lautivunia is in Tonga under his catamaran.’

So the search party returned to Tonga and found the body of Lautivunia. The Tui Toga felt obliged to reciprocate this favour from Tui Atua Leutele and instructed the search party to return to Samoa with the finest of his fine mats, which he named Le Ageagea o Tumua (the substance of Tumua). In addition, he recognised Tui Atua Leutele's seer abilities by naming him Leutele Leiite, that is, Leutele with the prophetic powers.

The title of Leiite survives today as one of the titles of the Sā Leutele family.[15]

In later centuries, a great war between Tuamasaga and the two allies, Atua and A'ana ravaged the country. Having been defeated, Malietoa Uitualagi and the Tuamasaga army sought refuge at Ana o Seuao in Sa'anapu, Safata. Atua and A'ana forces gave chase and as they arrived at Ana, prepared to complete their victory by burning the entire region and killing off the rest of Malietoa's troops.

The stage was set for perhaps the most celebrated of all Samoan orations. Among the warriors of Atua was the orator (tulafale) Iuli Potini of Falefa; and he it was, who, in an effort to save the people of Tuamasaga from the peril which confronted them, spoke with unflagging fervour for two full days and nights entreating the leaders of Atua and A'ana to have mercy on their captives. His oration was not, however, a disinterested appeal, for in the cave together with her husband, Pulemagafa—an orator (tulafale) of Fangali'i (a village in Tuamasaga), was the daughter of Iuli and her two children. The daughter's name is said to have been Talalaufala, and her two children were Salamaleulu, a girl, and Falefataali'i, a boy. This boy Falefataali'i, was the sole surviving male descendant of Iuli Potini and would upon Iuli's death have inherited his lands and title. According to Samoan custom he would be termed “o le gafa malō o Iuli”, and his position is one of great importance. It was in an attempt then to preserve the life of this boy and so maintain his family line intact that Iuli spoke for so long and with such vehemence. Iuli's remarkable oration is still remembered throughout all Samoa in the expression: “O se Iuli” [16] which is used in reference to any orator who speaks with great persistence and to great length. The tract of land in which the cave lies is still known as Potini in memory of Iuli.

Iuli's words were heard by the people of Tuamasaga, and the nature of his oration was conveyed to Malietoa and the other chiefs and orators within the cave. Pulemagafa, too, must have heard the story of Iuli's plea, and old and blind as he was, he made his way forward to the mouth of the cave guided by his son Falefataali'i. As he groped his way he was assailed by the taunts of his fellow captives, for to them he was making but a hopeless gesture.[16] He pressed on however until gaining the mouth of the cave, and questioning his son so as to determine the identity of those without, he made an oration in reply to Iuli and the chiefs and orators of Atua and A'ana, pleading for deliverance. Pulemagafa's earnest appeal was poorly received, for great was the rancour between the warring districts, until he announced that Malietoa was willing to pay as ransom (togiola, which literally means, ‘the price of one's life') the island of Tutuila. Such an offer was eagerly grasped, and before long the great sailing canoes of Atua were heading eastward to claim the prize, while Malietoa and his crest-fallen followers returned to their villages. This famous incident is still remembered in the proverb—“Ua tosi fa'alauti le eleele o Tutuila” (The land of Tutuila has been torn to shreds even as the strands of a native skirt), and to this day many of the village names and chiefly titles of Tutuila still bear witness to the nature of their origin, derived directly as they were from the district of Atua.

For his efforts in ending the conflict, 'Iuli Potini was elevated from tulafale to tulafale-alii and given the rank of Matua by Moe'ono and Leutele. Furthermore, his kava cup was named “Lau ipu lenei; lua po, lua ao” (This is your kava cup: ‘The two nights and the two days’). Thus is the feat of his famous ancestor still commemorated and today, his descendant 'Iuli continues to govern Falefa alongside Moe'ono and Leutele.[16]

June 1929: Some of the leaders of the Mau, Samoa’s Independence movement during colonial days. Standing behind Tuimalealiifano Si’u (left in white) is Moeono Luafalemana Taele (partially obscured) of Falefa. (L-R): The man in dark raincoat is Mr Thomas Slipper, a lawyer who represented Mau members, Tuimaleali’ifano Si’u, Moeono Luafalemana Taele of Falefa, Su’a or Lamasi at rear, Lefau of Vailele, Tagaloa, Lavea of Safotu, Savai’i, Mata’afa Faumuina Fiame Mulinu’u I of Lepea and Lotofaga and Pasia, of Fa’asaleleaga, Savai’i.

In the early days of the Mau movement, the Luafalemana Moe'ono Ta'ele resigned from his post at the administration's Native Police to assist with efforts to garner national support for the fledgling independence movement. As Pule (the orators and polity heads of Savaii) were yet to pledge their unanimous support, Moe'ono Luafalemana Ta'ele was tasked with leading a fleet of fautasi (canoes) together with Upolu's orators Tumua to ask for Savaii's support. Choosing to arrive at Satupa'itea instead of Sale'aula, Moe'ono recalled Falefa's earlier support for the Mau a Pule [17] (which Savaii's orators had led during the German administration, a precursor to the Mau Movement) and called on Asiata to have Pule (Savaii's orator polity and counterpart to Upolu's Tumua) reciprocate their solidarity by joining forces with them in order to further strengthen the cause for independence.

His son, Moe'ono Alai'asā Kolio OBE, would later become one of the Framers of the Constitution of the newly Independent State of Western Samoa.[18]

The current holder, Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Efi. Appointed by Falefa and Salani's 'Aiga Sa Fenunuivao to be the holder of the Tama Aiga title in 1986.

Falefa and the Tupua Tamasese have a long history, dating back to when the first Tupua was installed at Falefa in c.1550.[3] In terms of succession to the title, the family has been among the least controversial of all Tama a 'Āiga families. Family consensus decided successors rather than the court. However, these amicable relations were eventually fractured in 1965 when a major split appeared over the successor to Samoa's former co-Head of State Tupua Tamasese Mea'ole, who died two years earlier. Two first cousins and sons of previous holders vied for the title and the family was forced to resort to the court for a settlement.[4]

The family had been unable to agree between two candidates, Lealofi IV, the son of assassinated Mau leader Tupua Tamasese Lealofi III, and Tufuga Efi, the son of Samoa's former co-Head of State Tupua Tamasese Mea'ole.[4] The two men were first cousins, and their fathers had both held the titles. After deliberations dissolved, both were subsequently installed at separate ceremonies by the different political families of Sā Tupua: Lealofi IV by 'Āiga Sā Fenunuivao of Falefa and Salani, and Tufuga Efi by 'Āiga o Mavaega (of Faleasi'u and Asau in Savai'i) and by a branch of 'Āiga Sā Tuala from Fasito'outa. The latter's installation took 'Āiga Sā Fenunuivao by surprise and was immediately met with stern rejection.

Both candidates were genealogically eligible, being descended from their common ancestor, Tupua Fuiavailili.[19] However, Lealofi had the advantage of having the unanimous support of 'Āiga Sā Fenunuivao, the title's main political family, on the grounds that his father was older than Tufuga Efi's father and he himself was the elder candidate. The subsequent court battle saw a unanimous endorsement of Lealofi IV's appointment.[13] However, Tufuga Efi's supporters returned to the court to press two more lines of argument. First they argued that the title should be appointed and conferred by the immediate heirs of recent holders. 'Āiga Sā Fenunuivao pointed out their right to step in and decide, especially seeing as there would inevitably be disagreement among descendants and pointing to the fact that Sā Fenunuivao were descendants themselves, a view also endorsed by the court. Second, Tufuga's supporters argued that the conjugate titles - Tupua and Tamasese - be split in two. They argued that the Tamasese name constituted a title in its own right and urged the court to award the Tupua title to Lealofi and the Tamasese title to Tufuga Efi. However, the court rejected this argument on the grounds that without Tupua, Tamasese could not be constituted as a title and that Tupua without Tamasese would disqualify Tupua from the rank of a Tama a 'Āiga.[4]

The court ruled in favour of 'Āiga Sā Fenunuivao's candidate, Lealofi IV who would go on to be elected Prime Minister of Samoa.[20]

Upon Tupua Tamasese Lealofi IV's death in 1983, the question as to a successor was raised yet again with Tupuola Efi once again staking his claim. However, this would require 'Āiga Sā Fenunuivao agreeing to his appointment. Salani agreed however, Falefa and Lufilufi opposed. Despite the stalemate, Tupuola Efi pressed his claim and proceeded without the unanimous support of Āiga Sā Fenunuivao. On the morning of his installation ceremony at Vaimoso, the nation's public broadcaster, Radio 2AP, read an announcement from the Moe'ono at the time, Moe'ono Alai'asā Kolio, notifying the country that 'Āiga Sā Fenunuivao as well as the leaders of Lufilufi had not sanctioned Tupuola Efi's ascension to the title and would not allow for the ceremony to proceed at the title's appurtenant maota at Mulinu'ū ma Sepolata'emo in Lufilufi. This effectively nullified Tupuola Efi's grasp for the title yet again.

In 1986, Tupuola Efi approached the now ailing Moe'ono Kolio to ask for Āiga Sā Fenunuivao's unanimous blessing. Despite their initial refusal, both Falefa and Lufilufi eventually agreed. Thus 'Āiga Sā Fenunuivao joined with 'Āiga o Mavaega and 'Āiga Sā Tuala to jointly confer the Tupua Tamasese title on Tupuola Efi in an installation ceremony at Vaimoso in November, 1986, jointly registering the title under their family names.[4]

However, the right of joint conferral was later challenged in court, with the main families within the Sa Tupua clan - Sā Fenunuivao, Sā Tuala and Aiga 'o Mavaega - disputing authority over the title. The matter was decisively settled when in 1987, the court ruled that the right of conferral of the Tupua Tamasese title belonged exclusively to 'Āiga Sā Fenunuivao of Falefa and Salani.[13]

King Tupua Fuiavailili, descendant of Queen Salamasina, adopted son of King Muagututi'a and Fenunuivao, daughter of Leutele

King Afoa (defeated in single combat by his brother, Galumalemana. Thereafter named Afoafouvale, "he who rebels for no good reason.")

King Galumalemana (the Aloalii as an institution of succession is established under Galumalemana)

King Nofoasaefā (tyrant, assassinated by rebels in Savai'i)

King I'amafana (the last King installed by Lufilufi and the elders of Atua. Allegedly willed his kingdom to Malietoa Vainuupo; succeeded by Safeofafine but was killed in combat; kingship passes to Tamafaigā)

1751 - 1830: Maeaeafe Mataafa

1830 - 1860: Tupua Moegagogo

1860s - 1891: Tui Aana Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Titimaea (this is the first time Tamasese is used together with the Tupua title)

1891 - 1915: Tupua Tamasese Lealofi-o-a'ana I, son of Tupua Tamasese Titimaea.

1915 - 1918: Tupua Tamasese Lealofi-o-a'ana II, eldest son of Tupua Tamasese Lealofi-o-a'ana I

1918 - 1929: Tupua Tamasese Lealofi-o'a'ana III (Mau leader, assassinated by NZ Soldiers during Black Saturday), younger brother of Tupua Tamasese Lealofi-o-a'ana II

1929 - 1963: Tupua Tamasese Mea'ole (Co-Head of State with Malietoa Tanumafili II after Independence), younger brother of Tupua Tamasese Lealofi-o-a'ana III

1963 - 1983: Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Lealofi-o-a'ana IV (this is the first time Tamasese is formalised as part of the Tupua title) - Third Prime Minister of Samoa, son of Tupua Tamasese Lealofi-o-a'ana III

1986–present: Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Efi [3] (Former Prime Minister and Head of State 2007–2017), son of Tupua Tamasese Mea'ole.

Luafalemana Leo’o

Luafalemana Tupua Puta

Luafalemana Fagavale

Luafalemana Taua’aletoa Taligamaivalu Leala’iasalanoa

Luafalemana Moe'ono Alai'asā Ta'eleomoamoa (Taele)

(also bestowed to two other holders by Luafalemana Taele Moe'ono)

• Luafalemana Aukusitino
• Luafalemana Eseese

Present: Vacant

(Title founded in early pre-history: Records prior to 1855 available at Lands & Titles Court, Samoa)

1855 - 1915: Moe'ono Sufalī Luafalemana Taligamaivalu.

1915 - 1916: Moe'ono Faita Tailalo

1916 - 1957: Luafalemana Moe'ono Alai'asā Taeleomoamoa (Taele)

1957 - 1987: Moe'ono Alai'asā Kolio

1987 - 2018: Moe'ono Atoamafuaiupolu Tomanogi Penitito Alai'asā

2018–present: vacant

(Title founded in early pre-history: Records available at Lands & Titles Court, Samoa)

Leutele Malota I

Leutele Malota II

Leutele Upuolevavau

Leutele Faletui

Leutele Va'afusu'aga Poutoa

Leutele Taumoumea

Leutele Simaile Tuatagaloa

Leutele Lutu

1940 - 2012: Leutele Tapusatele Keli Tuatagaloa

2012–present: Vacant

(Records available at Lands & Titles Court, Samoa)

Iuli Tapa

Iuli Veni

Iuli Sefo I

Iuli Sefo II

Iuli Polailevao Salale Moananu

Iuli Laauliolemalietoa Polataivao Leuatea Schmidt

Tulouna a le a'ai o Fonotī (le a'ai o le Tupu) ma fale e fagafua

Maliu mai a oulua matua: 'Iuli ma Moe'ono

a Fulumu’a na falelimaa’I fetalaiga ia te oe le Aai

Tulouna a le putuputu o tagata o le Tui Atua

Afio mai Sā Fenunuivao

Afio mai Leutele o le tina o Tupua

Afio mai Lealaisalanoa o le tei o Tupua, o le tama a Malili e fa

Afio mai Alai’asa na fita I tuga

Afio mai Luafalemana o le Aloalii.[2]

Moamoa, o le tua o Lalogafu'afu'a.

Moe'ono - Laloāoa

'Iuli - Nofopule

Leutele - Vai'ili'ili ma Fogāvaiuta

Lealaisalanoa - Vaie'e

Alai'asā - Gataivai

Suluvave - Malae

Leutele - Sailau

Salanoa - Fenunuivao

Luafalemana - Salaina'oloa

Alai'asa - Punipuao

Suluvave - Aova'a[22]